Mazda MX-5 Cup

TYRES

• Compound: Semislick (the MX-5 Cup is a semi-slick car; the reference lap's "Slicks (H)" label does not match this car, so its pressures are used only as a guide)
• Cold pressures (as set in the setup screen): FL 28.0 PSI / FR 28.0 PSI / RL 27.0 PSI / RR 27.0 PSI
• Hot target (settles after ~3-5 PSI rise): front 31.0 PSI / rear 30.0 PSI
• Reference lap hot values of 26.6 / 26.4 / 26.3 / 25.9 PSI are below the semi-slick band, so cold pressures were raised to bring the hot values into 30-32 PSI. Use the in-game tyre app band as the final check.
• Alignment: Camber FL/FR -3.0° / -3.0°, RL/RR -2.2° / -2.2°; Toe front -0.05° (slight toe-out for turn-in), rear +0.15° (toe-in for stability); Caster front 6.0° (if adjustable)
• Optimal operating temperature for maximum grip: 85-95 °C core (target ~90 °C); a single flying lap will not fully reach this
• Tyre blankets: not a car property in AC. If the session has them off, the out lap is the warm-up lap and the setup is deliberately tolerant of cold tyres

ELECTRONICS

• TC: N/A
• ABS: N/A
• Brake magic / engine braking: N/A
• ERS: N/A
• Brake bias: 64.0% front (see Brakes; the reference's 75% is not a usable figure on this car)

SUSPENSION

• // FRONT
• Ride Height: 55 mm
• Wheel Rate FL / FR: 38,000 N/m / 38,000 N/m
• ARB: 24,000 N/m
• Brake Torque Multiplier: 100%
• Brake Bias: 64.0%
• // REAR
• Ride Height: 58 mm
• Wheel Rate RL / RR: 32,000 N/m / 32,000 N/m
• ARB: 14,000 N/m
• Diff Preload: 40 Nm
• Diff Coast: 0.3
• Diff Power: 0.5
• Exact scales (wheel rate, ARB, diff, brake bias) vary by MX-5 Cup version. If your screen shows clicks or a different range, keep the same proportions and adjust to the nearest step.

DAMPERS

AERO

• No adjustable aero on this car. Front wing N/A, rear wing N/A, downforce N/A, brake ducts N/A.
• FUEL: 4 L (about 1.5 laps of flying-lap use plus out lap; the reference lap's 14.3 L was a practice load and would only add mass)

KEY SETUP NOTE

• The Corkscrew drop unloads the car at its most violent point, so the rear must stay planted without snapping. That is why the rear is slightly softer and toed-in, with low coast lock (0.3). The same softness lets the car ride the compression and keep all four tyres loaded on Andretti and T11 exits. Do not stiffen the car for the Esses at the cost of Corkscrew compliance.

TRACK GUIDE

• Turn 1: brake late and trail the pedal off to rotate the car. Aim for a tight apex on the right-hander so you can pick up the throttle early toward the Andretti Hairpin. Momentum matters more than outbraking here.
• Andretti Hairpin (T2): brake in a straight line, then turn in late and square the corner off. Be patient and get the car straight before standing on the throttle, since this is the key traction zone and the exit speed carries into the Esses.
• Esses (T3-T6): stay committed and smooth. The uphill rhythm rewards minimal steering and a stable platform. Take curbs only where they do not unsettle the car.
• Corkscrew (T8/8A): brake in a straight line, turn in at the blind crest and trust the car. Use minimal steering as the car drops away, keep a light throttle through the left-right, and do not over-rotate. Any instability here ends the lap.
• Turn 11: slow right onto the start/finish straight. A clean, early exit with early throttle gives more lap time than a deep, aggressive entry, so favour traction over entry speed.